Study on oxidative potential of typical species in atmospheric bioaerosol and its influencing factors

SHI Hao-ke; ZHAO Jin-peng; LI Yan-peng

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China Environmental Science ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (3) : 1655-1662.

Environmental Toxicology and Environmental Health

Study on oxidative potential of typical species in atmospheric bioaerosol and its influencing factors

SHI Hao-ke¹, ZHAO Jin-peng¹, LI Yan-peng^1,2

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Abstract

The oxidation potential of common bacterial and fungal aerosols in the atmosphere as well as their key influential factors was evaluated using the dithiothreitol (DTT) method. The results showed that bioaerosols induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, varying along the microorganism type, species, and concentration. The oxidative potential of fungi was approximately 2 to 3 times higher than that of bacteria. When the test bioaerosl concentrations were set highest (10⁵CFU/mL), Staphylococcus aureus [(0.41 ± 0.06) nmol/(min·mL)] and Penicillium [(1.32 ± 0.11) nmol/(min·mL)] exhibited the strongest oxidative potential, averaging about 1.5times higher than other bacteria and fungi. The oxidation potential of bioaerosols was also significantly associated with their activity and chemical components. Microbial activity was a key factor regulating oxidative potential, with inactivation treatment reducing it by up to 40%. The consumption rate of DTT when biological components (Staphylococcus aureus/Penicillium) and chemical components (Cu/1, 4-NQ) were simultaneously present in the system was lower than that of the single component. It indicated that there was an interaction between the two components that inhibited the DTT consumption reaction.

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bioaerosols / oxidative potential / dithiothreitol (DTT) / environmental health

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SHI Hao-ke, ZHAO Jin-peng, LI Yan-peng. Study on oxidative potential of typical species in atmospheric bioaerosol and its influencing factors[J]. China Environmental Science. 2026, 46(3): 1655-1662

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